Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 19) — Southeast Asian and Arab leaders are expected to talk about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war during their gathering on Oct. 20, a foreign affairs official said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already left for Saudi Arabia to attend the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, where he is expected to advance the country’s interests in the economy, agriculture, and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
\”Let’s remember the president and other ASEAN leaders will be meeting with other Arab leaders at the ASEAN-GCC Summit tomorrow and for sure they will discuss this,\” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told a briefing on Thursday.
\”After all, Hamas, there is a threat not just to Israel but to other countries who oppose extreme Islamic fundamentalism,\” he added.
Hamas made a coordinated surprise offensive on Israel on Oct. 7, which killed more than 1,400 people in the Middle Eastern country, mostly civilians, with at least 199 believed to be held hostage inside Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.
The health ministry in Gaza said there are at least 3,748 people dead in the enclave as Israel carried out widespread airstrikes across the Strip. Israel also placed Gaza under a \”complete siege.\”
\”The worst-case scenario is that it (Israel-Hamas war) doesn’t end and we are not able to bring them (Filipinos) out (of Gaza) but we’re not thinking of that, much less are we thinking of region-wide conflict,\” De Vega said.
Four Filipinos have been confirmed killed in the Israel-Hamas war, while two are still missing.
The Philippines has already repatriated 16 Filipinos, including a month-old baby, from Israel as the war between Israeli forces and militant group Hamas rages on. A second batch is expected on Friday.
At least 92 out of 135 Filipinos in the Palestinian enclave have signified their intention to be flown back to the country, while 78 are already at the Rafah border crossing waiting for its opening, officials said.
The Philippine embassies in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt have been coordinating regarding the situation, De Vega said, adding contingency plans are in place in case of any escalation.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon has also advised Filipinos on the country’s southern border to evacuate as clashes rise between Israeli forces and militant group Hezbollah.
De Vega said there are about 70 Filipinos in northern Israel near the border and around 2,700 Filipinos in southern Lebanon.
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